A U.S. federal court has temporarily blocked a $400 million construction project proposed by Donald Trump to build a ballroom in the East Wing of the White House, marking a significant legal setback for one of his most visible renovation plans.
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon issued the temporary injunction on Tuesday, siding with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which filed a lawsuit challenging the project. The organization argued that the administration overstepped its authority by initiating demolition and construction without approval from Congress.
In his ruling, Judge Leon stated that construction must be halted unless Congress grants explicit authorization. “Until Congress blesses this project through statutory approval, construction must stop,” he wrote.
However, the judge placed the order on hold for 14 days, giving the Trump administration time to appeal the decision. He also clarified that the ruling does not affect any construction deemed necessary for ensuring the security of the White House.
The proposed ballroom project has drawn criticism from preservation groups and legal experts, who argue that alterations to historically significant government buildings require legislative oversight.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between executive authority and legal constraints when it comes to major structural changes to nationally significant sites.
